Would it surprise you to know that Indians are one of the top five largest immigrant groups in Canada, and make up the majority of international students in the country? Canada is clearly a favorite destination among Indian citizens looking for greener pastures abroad. It’s cheaper to immigrate to Canada than Australia, and Canada has far more immigration options than the United States. And even amidst the pandemic chaos in 2020, Canada was rated the second-best country in the world for qualities such as excellent healthcare, economic opportunities, and an exceptional quality of life.
If you want to join the large Indian ex-pat community in Canada, then you’re in luck because Canada increased its immigration targets and will welcome 1.2 million newcomers by 2023! Ready to secure your spot? Find out how you can immigrate to Canada from India in 2021 below.
Top Canadian Immigration Pathways for Indians
There are over 100 visa options and immigration programs that will allow you to settle in Canada. Some of the visa programs are points-based, while others are first-come, first-serve. Some visa programs remain open year-round, and others close after a specific time. Let’s explore the top three most popular Canadian visa programs for Indians.
- Canada’s Express Entry System
The number one reason for Canada’s high immigration targets is to fill skills shortages across the country. The Express Entry System is the main driver that admits the majority of skilled foreign workers to Canada. Indians with work experience in professional, managerial, trade, or technical occupations may qualify as skilled workers under the Express Entry system.
The Express Entry system is points-based and awards points for criteria such as your age, level of education, language proficiency, and years of work experience. The highest-scoring candidates are invited to apply for permanent residency in Canada. In fact, you could immigrate to Canada from India in less than a year through the Express Entry system, which processes permanent resident applications in as little as six months, and you won’t even need a job offer to qualify!
Read more here everything you need to know about the Canadian Express Entry system.
- Provincial Nomination Programs
Do you want to live in a specific Canadian province like Ontario or Saskatchewan? The good news is that 11 of the 13 provinces and territories of Canada manage their own immigration programs and nominate skilled and intermediate skilled workers who meet their labour market needs. From truck drivers to tech specialists, Canada has a demand for various types of workers.
The Provincial Nomination Program (PNP) is the second major Canadian immigration pathway for Indians and aims to welcome 80,800 newcomers in 2021 alone.
Post-Graduation Work Permit
About 34% of Canada’s international students hail from India. Not only do Indians prefer to study in Canada for exceptional quality education, but it’s also an effective stepping stone to a permanent future in the country. That’s because graduating with a Canadian qualification allows you the opportunity to stay on and work in Canada with a post-graduation work permit (PGWPP). Your combined work experience and qualification make it easier to immigrate to Canada from India because your immigration application carries more weight than other candidates.
Indians who want to study in Canada may also qualify for two-week visa processing through the Student Direct Stream.
What Impact Does COVID-19 Have on Canadian Immigration?
Canada recently announced a temporary ban on flights from India and Pakistan after a rapid spike in COVID-19 cases. However, this does not affect your ability to apply to immigrate to Canada from India in 2021. The Canadian immigration departments are open and accepting visa applications as per usual to meet its immigration target of 400,000 new residents this year. It’s important to note that it takes a few months to process applications for permanent residency, so the earlier you start the process, the quicker you’ll enjoy the results!
If you want to explore your immigration options and get a detailed immigration plan for you and your family, visit CanadianVisa.org for more information and professional help from start to finish.
